FareGuard

Inspiration

We were inspired by the idea of making fare inspections more efficient, transparent, and fair. Too often inspectors rely on pen-and-paper or outdated tools, leading to inefficiency and mistrust. Seeing this gap pushed us to build a system with real-time updates that modernizes the workflow, reduces errors, and builds accountability.

What it does

Fare Guard allows inspectors to log shifts, patrols, and incidents in real time or offline. It features an interactive map to drop pins, view active patrol areas, and visualize heatmaps of fare activity. The system pushes real-time updates to ensure inspectors and managers always see the latest patrol and incident data.

How we built it

We built the frontend with React, Zustand for state management, and Leaflet to replace Google Maps, making it free and customizable. The backend runs on Spring Boot with PostgreSQL, providing secure APIs and Flyway migrations. Real-time updates were enabled through WebSocket integration, while JWT authentication, offline queues, and database syncing tied the system together.

Challenges we ran into

We faced challenges integrating the backend database, fixing environment variables, and debugging PostgreSQL connections. Replacing Google Maps with Leaflet required redesigning our map logic under tight time constraints. Ensuring smooth real-time updates while handling offline syncing also required careful debugging.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We delivered a full working prototype with login, patrol tracking, chat, summaries, and real-time updates within the hackathon time limit. The Leaflet switch meant inspectors could still use the app without paid APIs. We are especially proud of connecting the offline queue to sync seamlessly when the network comes back.

What we learned

We learned how to adapt quickly when technical choices break mid-project. Handling backend migrations, debugging authentication, and aligning frontend state management deepened our full-stack skills. More importantly, we learned to prioritize user experience, ensuring real-time responsiveness even under poor network conditions.

What's next for Fare Guard

We want to add advanced analytics dashboards to measure inspection efficiency. Real-time alerts for fare evasion hotspots and live patrol coordination are in scope. Ultimately, Fare Guard could be deployed at scale across transit networks, supporting inspectors and building public trust.